Dodgers 2018 spring training primer: Catchers

As the Dodgers head toward the first workout of spring training on Feb. 14, we are providing a breakdown of how they stand with their roster. This is the final installment, following looks at the rotation, the bullpen, the infield and the outfield. This week, the catchers:

2017 RECAP

Yasmani Grandal and Austin Barnes combined to give the Dodgers the third-highest OPS (.822) and slugging percentage (.480) from the catcher spot in the major leagues. Grandal tied for third on the team with 22 home runs, but he slumped over the final two months of the season. In his first full season in the big leagues, Barnes established himself and improved as the season went on. More subtly – but perhaps more importantly to the front office – they also combined to give the Dodgers elite-level pitch-framing behind the plate.

HOW IT LOOKS RIGHT NOW

Grandal’s second-half slump offensively and a major-league high 16 passed balls led to a late-season change in the depth chart. Barnes took over as the primary catcher, starting 13 of the Dodgers’ 15 postseason games. Grandal can become a free agent next winter and he will certainly be motivated to gun for a big contract. But Manager Dave Roberts’ preference was made apparent by his lineup decisions last fall and the distribution of playing time in 2018 – Grandal made 113 starts during the regular season last year, Barnes only 49 – figures to slide more in Barnes’ favor. “That was a decision we made because Austin was playing better,” Roberts said recently of the postseason lineups. “I know Yasmani is coming here and expecting to win his job back. They both look at it as a competition, and that’s a good thing.”

THE NEXT LAYER

Kyle Farmer got a taste of the big leagues last year – but very limited playing time in that cameo. More intriguing is the talented group of catchers coming up through the Dodgers’ system. Keibert Ruiz emerged as a blue-chip prospect in Class-A last year. Will Smith was a first-round pick in 2016 and hit .371 in the Arizona Fall League last year. Connor Wong is another athletic catcher taken in the third round last year. None are near the big leagues, but all are worth keeping an eye on in 2018.

MOVE THEY COULD MAKE

That group of young catchers on the horizon and Grandal being in his walk year makes him vulnerable to a trade. If the Dodgers want to re-sign right-hander Yu Darvish (still a possibility, though not a high probability), they would want to offset his contract by shedding other salaries. Again – Grandal would be vulnerable in that scenario. But there is no reason for the Dodgers to be in any hurry to break up the productive tandem they have in Grandal and Barnes.